Tuesday, September 27, 2011

Whats for dinner?









Sometimes menu planning can be a pain!  I start to feel the pressure to make these over the top gourmet meals.  Something worth blogging about that might even get 'pinned'!! LOL!  Well tonight's meal is nothing blog worth but I know it will be a hit with my 9 year old.  Good old fashioned hotdogs in a blanket!  The thing is even this Mommy thinks they are yummy!  I guess the point of my story today is that even though I might take all day to make homemade chicken noodle soup with fresh rolls or meatballs with sauce from scratch ... sometimes the simple hotdog with a crossiant from a can is the biggest hit of all.  Really the thing that matters is us all sitting around the table sharing the meal anyways, right? 

Sunday, September 25, 2011

Scrubbing Bubbles One Step Toilet Bowl Cleaner Review


I recently received a sample of Scrubbing Bubbles ® ToiletBowl Cleaner to try.  I must say I was skeptical at first.  It seemed like just another gadget that would end up adding to my chores rather than helping.  Well I couldn’t be any more wrong.  Basically it is a can of spray that sits on the floor next to your toilet.  Then a little wire hooks to a sprayer that fits on the rim of the toilet bowl.  You use a foot pump to distribute the spray to the rim of the toilet.  I have been using the cleaner for about a week and it has been working wonderfully.  What I like best is that I can just step on the foot peddle whenever I’m already in the bathroom and it is no mess or work for me.  Our bathroom is perhaps the busiest place in our home and frankly it gets STINKY!  I’ve been using it to keep the stink away as well.  Sorta like a toilet refresher! 

You can find more information about Scrubbing Bubbles OneStep Toilet Bowl Cleaner on their website or by following them on Facebook.  While on Facebook enter to win the Scrubbing Bubbles One Step Dance-Off.  

Disclaimer:  I received product to review because I am a BzzAgent.  My review is my personal opinion and results may vary by individual experience.

Saturday, September 24, 2011

three more fall layouts

Here are three more fall layouts from 2007. Someday I'll be caught up but then what will I do? Scary thought!

Photobucket Photobucket Photobucket


Most of the supplies here I used are from years ago. I found that I mostly like to buy supplies and then I hoard them and they just sit never being used! Why I don't know ~ but I made it my goal to use as much of my stash as I could so I've been doing well using old stickers and papers. Hope you enjoy!

Friday, September 23, 2011

Mega Swag Buck Friday!


Today is Mega Swag bucks friday.  

Have you signed up for Swagbucks yet?  


Swagbucks is a search engine that pays you in swagbucks when you search.  Save up your swagbucks for giftcards.  My favorite is amazon gift cards because you can store them in your amazon account and when you need to buy something  you'll have money to spend.  If you start now you could potential earn a lot of swagbucks and help pay for Christmas!  What are you waiting for??  It is free and you can earn lots of swag before Christmas!! 

Thursday, September 22, 2011

Do you Pinterest?

I've found a new wonderful way to waste my time on the internet!  Pinterest!  It is sorta like bookmarking because you can 'pin' stuff you like to different boards but it is all hosted on the Pinterest site.  It has a social aspect because you can 'follow' your friends and see what they are pinning too.  You can 'repin' anything you see and there is a search bar to search out specific topics.  Pins are anything from recipes, fashion, crafts, quotes ~ you name it.  Each pin is really a link to a website with the thing you are pinning. 

Then if you want to take it further (which I did)  you can add a 'pin it' to your toolbar and make  your very own pins! 

I honestly think it is the neatest site because all those 'pins' are not just random websites you bookmark and never look at.  You can see a thumbprint of the thing you actually pin.  Great for recipes and crafts for sure.

If you sign up for pinterest you have to click on the button that says 'send invite'  you should receive it within 10 mins.  If not try again.


If you join stop back here and tell me what you think!



Monday, September 19, 2011

Water for Elephants coming soon on DVD







LIFE IS THE MOST SPECTACULAR SHOW ON EARTH
WFE - SpineLogo copy.jpg

Witness The Epic Tale of Forbidden Love Starring
Academy Award® Winner Reese Witherspoon and
Robert Pattinson On Blu-ray and DVD November 1


Take a journey back in time with the romantic tale based on Sara Gruen’s New York Times #1 Best-Seller novel of the same name, WATER FOR ELEPHANTS, coming to Blu-ray and DVD on November 1st from Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment.  Starring Academy Award®-winner Reese Witherspoon (Walk The Line), Robert Pattinson (Twilight series) and Oscar®-winner Christoph Waltz (Inglourious Basterds), the film presents an epic tale of forbidden love in a magical place filled with adventure, wonder and great danger. Showcasing the decadence of a bohemian circus and the majesty of its animals against the backdrop and beauty of a bygone era, WATER FOR ELEPHANTS makes the ideal holiday gift idea for your favorite film buff, fashionista or book-lover!

WFE BD.JPG
Devastated by the sudden death of his parents at the height of The Depression, a young dreamer from the wrong side of the tracks, Jacob Jankowski (Pattinson), abandons his veterinary studies at
Cornell University. With no other family, no house, and no money, Jacob stows away on a train carrying the circus performers of The Benzini Brothers Most Spectacular Show on Earth.  Hired as a veterinarian to care for the troupe’s animals, Jacob is temporarily filled with the promise of an exciting life that comes with a traveling circus troupe. However, as he builds a rapport and falls in love with the star of the show, Marlena (Witherspoon), they become prey to the circus’s owner, Marlena’s violent and abusive husband August (Waltz). As the circus begins to crumble from within and against all odds, Jacob and Marlena come together and fall in love through their compassion for a special elephant. With their love on the line, Jacob and Marlena come to a crossroads that will forever change their destiny.
Directed by critically-acclaimed filmmaker Francis Lawrence (Constantine), WATER FOR ELEPHANTS features fantastic supporting performances from Paul Schneider (Lars and the Real Girl), Jim Norton (Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets), Mark Povinelli (The Polar Express), Richard Brake (Batman Begins), and Academy Award®-nominee Hal Holbrook (Into the Wild).

WATER FOR ELEPHANTS will be available on Blu-ray and DVD in the U.S. Pre-book is September 21st.


WATER FOR ELEPHANTS Blu-ray + Digital Copy (Catalog #2275968)
·         Feature Film
  • Special Features
    • Robert Pattinson Spotlight
    • Feature Performer Reese Witherspoon
    • The Traveling Show: From Page to Screen
    • Working Without A Net – The Visual Effects of Water for Elephants
    • The Star Attraction
    • Raising the Tent
    • Secrets of the Big Top
    • Audio Commentary with Director Francis Lawrence and Writer Richard LaGravenese
    • Theatrical Trailer
  • Live Extras
    • Exclusive: Stars of the Circus
    • Blu-ray Highlight: The Traveling Show: From Page to Screen
    • Theatrical Trailer
    • Live Lookup
    • Digital Copy


WATER FOR ELEPHANTS DVD (Catalog #2274068)
·         Feature Film
    WFE DVD.JPG
  • Special Features
    • Robert Pattinson Spotlight
    • Feature Performer Reese Witherspoon
    • The Traveling Show: From Page to Screen
    • Audio Commentary with Director Francis Lawrence and Writer Richard LaGravenese
    • Theatrical Trailer




Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment
Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment, LLC (TCFHE) is a recognized global industry leader and a subsidiary of Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation, a News Corporation company. Representing 75 years of innovative and award-winning filmmaking from Twentieth Century Fox, TCFHE is the worldwide marketing, sales and distribution company for all Fox film and television programming, acquisitions and original productions on DVD, Blu-ray Disc Digital Copy, Video On Demand and Digital Download. The company also releases all products globally for MGM Home Entertainment. Each year TCFHE introduces hundreds of new and newly enhanced products, which it services to retail outlets from mass merchants and warehouse clubs to specialty stores and e-commerce throughout the world.

# # #

Follow Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment on Twitter @FoxHomeEnt

Saturday, September 17, 2011

Mega SwagBuck Friday ~ are you earning your free swags for searching?


Today is Mega Swag bucks friday.  

Have you signed up for Swagbucks yet?  


Swagbucks is a search engine that pays you in swagbucks when you search.  Save up your swagbucks for giftcards.  My favorite is amazon gift cards because you can store them in your amazon account and when you need to buy something  you'll have money to spend.  If you start now you could potential earn a lot of swagbucks and help pay for Christmas!  What are you waiting for??  It is free and you can earn lots of swag before Christmas!! 

Tuesday, September 13, 2011

Tilapia shhh!

tilapia, green beans and pearlized cous cous
So tonight's dinner was fish.  My husband and I are not fish eaters.  My middle child is more adventurist than the rest of us but if he knew it was fish forget it.  So I called it 'white meat' lol!  He ate 2 pieces!!! 

Dinner was tilapia which I crushed up some tortilla chips then breaded it with that.  Pan fried (is there any other way?) , some steamed green beans and pearlized couscous.  I DID NOT know that pearlized couscous was different that regular couscous so I was VERY disappointed! 

So the point of this meal was a total success because I wanted Xander to eat fish and find out he liked it ~ especially because I don't.  However I didn't really like it!! Oh well. 

Oh and my husband.....ate one bite of the fish and no bites of the couscous. 

Monday, September 12, 2011

Menu planning!

I've decided that menu planning needs to be something I do on a weekly basis.  I started out this week by going through my Shoprite circular and visiting Living Rich with Coupons to come up with the best choices for my small budget.  I want to feed my family for the littlest amount while still eating well and enjoying dinners.  Couponing is important to maintain the budget but also doing the menu planning.

Monday:  homemade chicken parmigiana with a side of pasta with red sauce, crusty Italian bread and field greens dressed with balsamic dressing.  

Tuesday:  tortilla crusted tilapia, couscous and green beans.  (trying this for the first time.  We never eat fish but I want to expose the kids to new food.  Of course I made extra chicken last night just in case!)

Wednesday:  Crockpot chilli

Thursday:  leftovers

Friday:  Takeout pizza ( yes I put it on the menu I think it is nice to see a day off and to see something fun ~ it also helps not to buy extra food while grocery shopping)

So that is whats for dinner in the Rup household this week.  I'll let you know how the tilapia turns out. 

Friday, September 9, 2011

Mega Swag Bucks Friday!!! Are you Swagging?


Today is Mega Swag bucks friday.  

Have you signed up for Swagbucks yet?  


Swagbucks is a search engine that pays you in swagbucks when you search.  Save up your swagbucks for giftcards.  My favorite is amazon gift cards because you can store them in your amazon account and when you need to buy something  you'll have money to spend.  If you start now you could potential earn a lot of swagbucks and help pay for Christmas!  What are you waiting for??

Cheap Diapers at Toys R Us or Babies R Us

I am all about a deal.  Diapers are something I stock up on since I have Jace in them and he will most likely wear them for at least 2 years!  I try to have the next size and about 15 packs per size.  My stock up price is $3.50 or less.  Most of the time I get them at drugstores because that is the easiest place to get them for that price but Toys R Us and Babies R Us is having a $5 sale on Huggies Jean diapers for today and tomorrow (9/9 & 9/10)


To sweeten this deal you can use coupons to bring down the cost.  (You might have other coupons Huggies mails me a bunch so I always seem to have them on hand)

If not try these coupons:

Smart Source from 8/14 for either $2 off 1 pack or $1.50 off 1 pack. 

Smart Source is the insert you get in your Sunday Paper.  You would have had to already have this insert since it is from August 14th's paper. 

I also suggest calling ahead because they will go fast!



Thursday, September 8, 2011

Chuck E. Cheese reinvents Birthdays!

We've personally had three birthday parties at Chuck E. Cheese!  I love that you can just show up and all the work is done for you!  It is Effortless! I think it is the one place my kids ask to go to!


News Release:

Chuck E. Cheese’s Reinvents Birthdays with One-of-a-Kind Celebration Made for Birthday Stars
Family entertainment leader lets birthday stars shine bright through special birthday experiences
Irving, Texas – Sept. 7, 2011 – Chuck E. Cheese’s is scouting the next participants for one of its coolest roles – birthday star. This year, Chuck E. Cheese’s invites parents to let their birthday stars shine bright with new, in-store birthday party packages, friendly to any budget. Some requirements for the position include: an appetite for great pizza, a love for awesome games and the ability to grab as many tickets and bonus vouchers as possible in the Ticket Blaster.   

“Birthdays only come around once a year, and Chuck E. Cheese’s birthday parties are certainly celebrations where we like to go above and beyond for our birthday stars’ special days,” said Brenda Holloway, marketing manager at Chuck E. Cheese’s. “Birthday parties are another example of exciting opportunities we take at Chuck E. Cheese’s to give kids and their families memories they can share together for a lifetime.”

With affordable birthday packages that save time and money, and pre-packaged combinations of food, decorations and fun, throwing a Chuck E. Cheese’s birthday party has never been easier! This year, parents can select either a “Star” or “Super Star” package for a two-hour celebration that includes tokens, decorations, drinks and pizzas made with the company’s newly improved pizza recipe, as well as an all-new Chuck E. Airwalker balloon and limited-edition medallion for the birthday child. As a special bonus, the birthday star will have the chance to enter the Ticket Blaster and race against the clock to grab as many flying tickets and vouchers as they can. The vouchers, worth 50, 100 or 200 tickets, can be used to redeem a variety of cool prizes at the end of the birthday party.

Reserving a Chuck E. Cheese’s party is simple and easy, and for parents’ convenience, can be booked online at www.chuckecheese.com/parties or with a reservation agent at 888-778-7193. For a limited time, parents can receive up to 100 free game tokens that can be used during the party or another visit, simply by reserving a Friday or Sunday party online or by phone. Additionally, guests can avoid the crowd and enjoy unlimited time at their tables on parties booked Monday through Thursday. If unable to make a reservation, families are still invited to experience the fun and excitement of Chuck E. Cheese’s through walk-in parties, where they can purchase goody bags or a Chuck E. cake for the birthday star to blow out the candles and make a birthday wish come true! 

Guests can find pricing and additional details about birthday parties, as well as other offers, on the Chuck E. Cheese’s website at www.chuckecheese.com. Fans are encouraged to share their photos, stories and videos from their favorite Chuck E. Cheese’s birthday celebrations by emailing them to memories@cecentertainment.com. Lucky families may even find their picture or video featured on the official Chuck E. Cheese’s Facebook page!
For additional information and resources about current promotions including embeddable video footage and downloadable photos, visit the Chuck E. Cheese’s digital newsroom. You can also connect with Chuck E. Cheese’s on Twitter and Facebook.



About CEC Entertainment, Inc.:
For more than 30 years, CEC Entertainment has served as the nationally recognized leader in family dining and entertainment and the place Where a Kid can be a Kid®. The Company and its franchisees operate a system of 555 Chuck E. Cheese’s stores located in 48 states and seven foreign countries or territories.  Currently, 507 locations in the United States and Canada are owned and operated by the Company.  CEC Entertainment, Inc. and its franchises have the common goal of creating lifelong memories for families through fun, food and play. Each Chuck E. Cheese’s features musical and comic robotic entertainment, games, rides and play areas as well as a variety of dining options including pizza, sandwiches, a salad bar and desserts. Committed to providing a fun, safe environment, Chuck E. Cheese’s helps protect families through industry-leading programs such as Kid Check®.


Chuck E. Cheese’s aims to promote positive, lifelong memories inside and outside of its stores. In addition to providing a fun entertainment experience for millions of families across the world, Chuck E. Cheese’s has donated more than $6 million to schools and non-profit institutions through its fundraising programs. For more information, see the company's website at www.chuckecheese.com.

Tuesday, September 6, 2011

New Pillsbury Frozen Breakfast & Coupon

Fitting in a satisfying, hot breakfast that will set you up for a good day can be a challenge. That´s why Pillsbury is unveiling a new line of quick and delicious frozen breakfast dishes which bring your weekend favorites to the weekday breakfast table.
To celebrate the launch of new Frozen Pillsbury® Grands!® Biscuit Sandwiches and Pillsbury® Egg ScramblesTM, the Pillsbury Doughboy teamed up with Grammy-award winning American gospel music duo Mary Mary and surprised morning commuters with an unexpected performance. Mary Mary is the featured artist behind the catchy jingle titled "Brand New Morning" accompanying the new Pillsbury Frozen Breakfast television spots.
Get a sneak peak of the new Pillsbury frozen breakfast products and visit www.facebook.com/pillsbury to receive a $1 off coupon, while supplies last. Then let us know what you think. Click on the link below to see 14 Pillsbury Doughboys and Mary Mary doing a breakfast boogie! 



Pillsbury Grands! Biscuit Sandwiches and Pillsbury Egg Scrambles heat up in minutes in the microwave and are available in your grocer´s freezer.
Made with quality ingredients like real egg, tasty meat, cheese, Grands! Biscuits and Green Giant® vegetables, this new line of quick and delicious frozen breakfast dishes comes in six flavorful choices:


  • Sausage & Cheese Biscuit Sandwich

  • Bacon & Cheese Biscuit Sandwich

  • Ham & Veggies Biscuit Sandwich

  • Bacon & Veggies Egg Scrambles

  • Sausage Egg Scrambles

  • Sausage & Veggies Egg Scrambles
Be sure to head over to www.facebook.com/pillsbury to "Like" the brand and learn more about Frozen Pillsbury® Grands!® Biscuit Sandwiches and Pillsbury® Egg ScramblesTM.  Don't forget to get your coupon while you are there (while supplies last ;) )



Thank you to MyBlogSpark for providing the information.  

Sunday, September 4, 2011

Buttermilk Pancakes make little boys happy!

Buttermilk pancakes
My two older boys love pancakes.  They will eat them everyday (and have!)  I am not much of a fan of them personally.  I do like them out but not so much out of a box.  When I was at the grocery store the other day I saw a container of buttermilk for $1.50 (or around that price) and I was inspired to make some restaurant quality buttermilk pancakes.  I looked all over the internet and every recipe I found was different, some difficult some easy ~ all boasting that they are the best.  So I tried one easy recipe I found and the first pancake STUNK!  So I modified my batter and voila' it was PERFECT!


Ingredients:

2 cups flour
2 teaspoons salt
3 tablespoons sugar
2 teaspoons baking soda
2 eggs
2 1/4 cups buttermilk
1/4 cup butter, melted

Directions

    Preheat and lightly grease a large skillet or electric griddle.
    Mix the flour, salt, sugar and baking soda together in a bowl. Add the egg, buttermilk, and butter; stir together lightly, batter should be lumpy..
    Drop 1/3 cup of the batter into pan/skillet, roll pan to spread pancake. Cook until lightly-browned on each side, 1 to 2 minutes per side.


The picture up top was the actual pancake I made.  Austin (my oldest) came over to the stove while I was cooking and said "Wouldn't it be cool if you could make them shaped like Mickey"  so I did!  LOL!


Hope you enjoy this recipe and if you make it leave me a post telling me what you thought!! 

Friday, September 2, 2011

makeover

Over the next few weeks I am going to be changing the focus of this blog.  It is still going to include crafts (and Scrapbooking!)  but also DIY, Reviews, Giveaways, Savings information... a little of everything.  I will also be adding some more personal post about my life and family's life. 


The main reasons for this is I just don't have the time currently to craft that I did before I was pregnant and had Jace.  I know this is not a permanent state though so I'm not abandoning crafting entirely (I still buy cricut carts and scrapbook supplies!)  The second reason is I have been a contributing writer over at As They Grow Up and I have loved writing there.  It reminded me of my love of writing.  I've always loved reading and hope to write a book sometime in my not so far future.

I hope you'll will stick with my blog if you stuck it out this long and see what comes up.  My followers and comments keep me going!

Thanks!
~Lisa

Mega Swag Bucks Friday


Today is Mega Swag bucks friday.  

Have you signed up for Swagbucks yet?  


Swagbucks is a search engine that pays you in swagbucks when you search.  Save up your swagbucks for giftcards.  My favorite is amazon gift cards because you can store them in your amazon account and when you need to buy something  you'll have money to spend.  If you start now you could potential earn a lot of swagbucks and help pay for Christmas!  What are you waiting for??

Thursday, September 1, 2011

Comfort & Harmony™ Cozy Cart Cover ™ by Bright Starts Review






One of the things I dread about my little one growing up is going shopping without the infant seat.  In his infant carseat he is protected from germs!!   Bright Starts has helped solve that problem!  Their Comfort& Harmony™ Cozy Cart Cover ™ is designed to cover the whole cart.  This makes a clean space for my little guy to sit.  The fabric is padded and it fit well over the shopping cart.  There is even space to link up toys.  The cover uses the shopping carts own straps that slip through the cover.  Best of all it is machine washable! 

Here is what Bright Starts says:

Comfort and Harmony Cozy Cart Cover: Provides 360° of protection for your little one! The Comfort & Harmony™ Cozy Cart Cover™ is made of plush, padded fabrics for supreme comfort while protecting baby from germs in shopping carts or restaurant high chairs.



We only used the cover at the store shopping and haven’t tried it on a restaurant highchair.  Jace enjoyed being able to sit up and see what was going on which was a plus during the shopping trip.  I really like the coverage it provided.  



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Comfort and Harmony Cozy Cart Cover retails for around $29.99 and can be purchased directly from Brightstarts.com. 







~ Lisa






I received this product to review for AsTheyGrowUp.com.This is solely my opinion. Other people may have different experiences with the product. Thank you to Bright Starts for providing a product to test.